From the One Pure Bliss, The Supreme Consciousness, we have come. In that Pure Bliss we evolve. In
the end, in that Pure Bliss we melt again. Whether we fully know it or not,
Pure Bliss is the nature of Real Self within, our Mool (Source, Origin, Joti-Svaroop...). Realizing this, while living
in this body, is Self-realization. In that sense, we are the Divine Story. In
the teachings of the Gurbani, this Story only
becomes more conscious and purposeful.The Gurbani indicates that the Inner Fulfillment
we seek does exist and can be experienced by anybody by becoming the Gurmukh (Spiritual Being...), "here" and "now".

TheGurbani of uncompromising Truth urges us to go within; for are That (Joti-Svaroopa). Since the our Joti-Svaroop is always
present within, we are never apart from it. Further, there are not two selves. The Real Self
is only one, and we can't live without it. As such, it is not the matter of
Realizing the True Self, but of Realizing that we never were not the True Self! Thus, it
is the Self experiencing itself.

In our Original state (Mool, Joti-Svaroop...) we are spaceless, nameless,
and timeless. On this Absolute, "movement" or the knowledge "I-ness"
(false ego-sense) rises and out of that comes illusion (Maya) and that illusion
covers the Truth. False ego is the quintessence of the body. But underneath
this false ego we ever remain the Absolute. And after the disappearance of the
body, the false ego will be gone, and only that Absolute will remain.
For example, in the cinema hall the screen is fixed, whilst the pictures move
on it. The screen, however, ever remains unaffected by the movement of these
pictures. Likewise, the Spiritually Awakened person (the Gurmukh) is fully aware that the
true state of his Inner Being ever remains unmodified and that all activities
go on around him. Hence he considers only the screen and not the moving pictures!
So, Self-realization is the understanding and conviction that I am not the body
but I am that Joti-Svaroop indwelling in this body.

It is impossible for one to reach something within which he is not. To put
it otherwise, upon Spiritual Realization one realizes that, all along, the one-who-wanted-to-realize
was the same one he has been looking for; but he did not know it! In other words,
the one who seeks answers is the answer! In essence, Liberation (Mukti),
Realization, Enlightenment, opening of the Tenth Gate (Dasam Duaar),
attainment of Chauthaa Pada (fourth state or Turiyaa Avasthaa),
awakening of the Satgur or Saadh within, Spiritual Knowledge, Love,
Joy, Peace, Bliss (Anand), Spiritual Perfection, and so on is none other
than our own fundamental Ultimate Mool (Source, Origin...). To fully realize this — not just as
an intellectual philosophy but as an actual experience by which one lives his
daily life — is what Self-realization is all about. Thus Self-realization is
not be given on a silver platter. It is always there.

To help us Realize this Truth, the Gurbani inspires
all thoughtful human beings to ask fundamental questions: "Why I am here in
this world? What is the purpose of this human life? Who am I? Where did I come
from, and where am I going? What is my true Support or Adhaar?", and
so on.

There is only one real goal, the ultimate purpose: Realizing that we are not the
body and that we are the Joti-Svaroop, wihch is attributeless, timeless etc. That is Self-realization. It simply means I am Wholeness (Saabat-ਸਾਬਤ).
However, the man blinded by his ignorance, conditioned consciousness or "I-ness"
is involved in the externalities of material existence which inhibits his turning
inward. So long as the Self is not known, till then there will be no Freedom
from repeated suffering and delusion. Thus, Realization of the Mool "here"
and "now" is the purpose for being here this very moment. This Mool
is without name, form, attributes and conditioning. Even though the Mool is
within all, It is beyond all senses, beyond all intellect, beyond all forms,
beyond time, and beyond space.

Among all the living species, the human form is most fit to be instructed about
the nature of the Absolute Truth, the Essence of Divinity. In this human form,
we have this rare opportunity to understand the Truth which is the Substratum
of everything in the universe including our false ego or conditioned consciousness.
Upon disappearance of the body, false ego also disappears, but the Substratum
remains.

Under the spell of Haumai or "I-ness", ignorance or delusion (Maya), however,
we have confounded the Mool with the body-frame. This is our error. The essentials
of Self-realization is knowing that we are not this material body but we are different
from it, and that our True Happiness is in Eternal Life, Bliss, and Spiritual
Wisdom (the Gurmukh Lifestyle). We are already that. Hence the perfection of Self-realization means attaining
a Blissful, Eternal Life full of Divine Knowledge — experience of the Totality.

This leads to a question: Even though the all-pervading Divine Presence dwells
within, why are we unable to experience this Truth? What might be the obstacle
to our Self-Unfoldment?

The obstacle is the rise of the veil of false ego (Haume), conditioned
consciousness or "I am the body-mind" idea. Because of self-limitations
and conditioning, the our Tru Nature becomes superimposed or covered by the false phenomena
called egoism. As soon as the cover of false ego is removed, all concepts disappear
and the Unlimited, Timeless, Spaceless and Formless Reality shines forth from within. Therefore,
Self-realization is simply the loss of false ego.

To better understand it, we can look at the analogy of mirror and dust. One
can not see himself in a dust-covered mirror. Similarly, it's not possible to
perceive the subtle Mool due to the dust of ego covering the mirror of the mind
or heart. Further, since the atomic Mool or Pure Awareness is subtler than the
space, it is beyond the reach and comprehension of our limited mind and physical
senses.

What is this "dust" that blocks our perception and stops us from experiencing
the Divine Light within? What is it made of, and where does it come from? The
Gurbani reveals to us that all living entities in this world are covered by the
three-modes of material nature or Maya (illusion, ignorance, false ego, delusion,
wrong identity, etc.). In other words, the dust on the mirror of our mind consists
of material contamination — ignorance born false ego, desires, fear or Vaasnaas
(unceasing demands for sense gratification). Owing to our false ego-sense (haumai), we forget the Naam (Aatam-Giaan...). Consequently, we can neither see
nor understand our True Nature (Joti-Svaroop).

Sometime it so happens that the morning clouds or fog cover
our eyes from seeing the sun. It's not that the sun is not there. In fact
the sun is always there. We simply do not see it because clouds block it from
the limited view of our eyes. In the same manner, even though our True Mool is always present
within, the clouds of Maya's contamination blocks Him from our vision.

ਧੂੰਮ ਬਾਦਰ ਸਭਿ ਮਾਇਆ ਸਾਜ ॥: Dhoom baadar sabh Maya saaj:
All the show of Maya is just a cloud of smoke (sggs 1192).

Maya is very strong. We must realize that, after all, it is the inherent power
of the Supreme Being! The deception ("Chhal") of Maya creates
a division in consciousness which gives rise to the phenomenal world of subject-and-object.
Surpassing this Maya is like chewing steel-balls! The powerful soldiers of Maya
include attachment, pride, jealousy, ignorance born ego, lust, pain and pleasures,
sin, desires, anger, blind sense-mind, the pleasure of taste and flavors, worldly
attachments, doubts, corrupt intellect, greed, and so on. With such mighty soldiers,
Maya is a formidable foe indeed! Then, how one can conquer the mighty fortress
of this Cosmic Delusion?

The function of Maya's mighty soldiers is to cover the mind-mirror by placing
the "dust" of material contamination on it. As this "filth"
of false ego (Haumai) thickens, we become unable to see the effulgence of the Divine
Light (Mool) within. Therefore, the goal is to free the mind of the
influence of Maya.

Thus, secret in becoming a Self-Realized person (Gurmukh) lies in cleansing
of our heart. We are lacking. Therefore, we need to be purified. Without cleansing
of the mind, it's impossible to Understand the Mool
or link with the Mool. The Gurbani reveals to us the mystery of this process of Self-realization - Through the Shabad-Vichaar, the Divine Light of the Naam (Giaan...), the Lord’s Name, will shine within.

ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਆਪੁ ਪਛਾਣਿਆ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥: By the Gurmat (Wisdom, Upadesh or Way of the SGGS), recognize your ownself; the Divine Light of the Divine Naam comes to shine within (sggs 86).

The Gurbanicalls the false ego "homeless".
For example, a mirror reflects a face held close to it, but the real face is beyond
the mirror! Similarly, man's attitudes and character reflect as the ego-sense
in one's Self, but his attitudes and character is not his True Self. In that sense,
it's said that false ego does not exist anymore than a son of a barren woman;
because, there is in truth nothing else but the Supreme Truth. The Gurbani, therefore, calls the false ego "homeless".

Concern yourself not with the thief-like ego and its business. Whatever
is not God's work is nothing, nothing! (Sufi Poet Jalaluddin Rumi).

There are different processes meant for cleansing of the heart. The process of
Baabaa Nanak is the practice of meditation (Jap or Naam-Simran)
coupled with selfless service, the act of giving, Self-inquiry, diligent study
of scriptures, truthful living, keeping constant Spiritual Company, and so on.
With the cleansing of the heart, (a) one's activities (Karma) become pious;
(b) Divine knowledge (Giaan) comes to abide in the mind; (c) senses become
tame, making contemplation and meditation easy; and ultimately (d) one becomes
absorbed in Pure Consciousness. In other words, this "I" consciousness,
which resides in the body has mistakenly assumed itself to be the body, gradually
realizes its True Nature which is without any inherent limitations.

The Shabadis of the Divine Nature. Therefore, Intuitive Realization
of the Shabad is God-realization. By becoming
Shabad-conscious, one tastes the sublime essence of the Pure Being deep
within the cave of his heart.

A man suffering from Jaundice finds sugar to be very bitter. However, as we know
it, the nature of sugar is sweet; but, because of his Jaundice condition, he can
not realize the true taste of the sugar. The same sugar with bitter taste becomes
his medicine. Once cured, he realized the sweet nature of the sugar. Similarly,
because of our Jaundice condition (Haumai) we find the Divine Name (Brah-Giaan...) to
be bitter and tasteless in the beginning. However, once we become cured (purified), it tastes sweet, Pleasing, and Blissful.

Thus, the practice of Bhagti or Shabad-Vichaar etc., is to realize our True Nature
within, which is Joti-Svaroopa. Our attachment to Maya creates separation - upon becoming conditioned (Manmukh), we cut ourselves off
from our very Source; the All-pervading Universal Consciousness.
Every limb of our body is very valuable as long as it is attached to the body.
If any limb is cut off from this body, it becomes worthless. We are "Ansh"
or a part-and-parcel of the Supreme Reality The moment we are cut off from that,
our life also become worthless as well.

Therefore, the goal of human existence is to become linked or reestablished in
one's Mool within. This is the ultimate aim of living:
Realization of one's True Nature, as made in the image of Divine Light (Joti-Svaroop). What ever has come upon this Unconditioned
Consciousness is time bound, thus illusion.

Thus, the Self-realization is none other than knowing within "Soham" (I
am That or He is me). It is to identify with the Pure Consciousness within. This Intuitive
Realization of the Mool within is the Essence of real Dharma.

Self-realization is the opposite of ignorance. Simply put: Realization is to get
rid of the ignorance that one is apart from the Mool. To take the world of names
and forms with their qualities and differences as real and one's Mool as unreal
is the ignorance, the cause of pain and suffering. To know the Tru Nature as the only
Reality (Joti-Svaroopa) and all else as temporary (Jhooth, Koor or Mithiyaa)
is Self-realization. It
is like cleansing the cloudy mirror — the same mirror that shows us the world
of plurality will also show us our real Mool when polished by the cloth of Shabad-Vichaar (Aatam-Giaan, Bibek-Budhi...).

What does happen upon becoming Enlightened or Self-realized? Does it mean
one's problems and strives will disappear? Does it mean that one retires from
all activities of life and meditate twenty-four hours on his naval, or between
the eyebrows, or at the tip of his nose? No. Upon becoming Enlightenment, one's problems
still will be there, one's duties still will be there, life's strife still will
be there, body's diseases and sickness and death still will be there.

"Then, what does change upon Realizing the Self?", one may ask. What changes
is the perception or angle of vision of approaching life, that is, one becomes
witness to his life, without any trace of emotional attachment. He accepts everything
he undergoes as due to God's Hukam (Bhaanaa) with equanimity of
the mind. He is like the water drops which do not adhere to the lotus leaf!
Simply put: The mind of a Realized Being becomes open to everything, but remains
ever detached from everything (Maya...)! In the following hymn, we have a glorious description
of this Transcendental State.

ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ ਸਹਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦੂਖੁ ਅੰਦੋਹੁ ਨਹੀ ਤਿਹਿ ਠਾਉ ॥ ਨਾਂ ਤਸਵੀਸ ਖਿਰਾਜੁ ਨ ਮਾਲੁ ॥ ਖਉਫੁ ਨ ਖਤਾ ਨ ਤਰਸੁ ਜਵਾਲੁ ॥੧॥ ਅਬ ਮੋਹਿ ਖੂਬ ਵਤਨ ਗਹ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਊਹਾਂ ਖੈਰਿ ਸਦਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਾਇਮੁ ਦਾਇਮੁ ਸਦਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀ ॥ ਦੋਮ ਨ ਸੇਮ ਏਕ ਸੋ ਆਹੀ ॥ ਆਬਾਦਾਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਮਸਹੂਰ ॥ ਊਹਾਂ ਗਨੀ ਬਸਹਿ ਮਾਮੂਰ ॥੨॥ ਤਿਉ ਤਿਉ ਸੈਲ ਕਰਹਿ ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੈ ॥ ਮਹਰਮ ਮਹਲ ਨ ਕੋ ਅਟਕਾਵੈ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਖਲਾਸ ਚਮਾਰਾ ॥ ਜੋ ਹਮ ਸਹਰੀ ਸੁ ਮੀਤੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥੩॥੨॥: Begam Puraa sahar ko naaou ...: Begam Puraaa,
"the city without sorrow", is the name of That City (or State of
mind). There is no suffering or anxiety there. There are no troubles or taxes
on commodities there. There is no fear, blemish or downfall there. ||1|| Now,
I have found This most excellent City. There is lasting Peace and Safety there,
O Siblings of Destiny. ||1||Pause|| God's Kingdom is steady, stable and eternal.
There is no second or third status; all are equal there. That City is populous
and eternally famous. Those who live there are truly wealthy and contented.
||2|| They stroll about freely, just as they please. They know the Realm of
the Divine Presence, and no one blocks their way. Says Ravi Daas, the emancipated
shoe-maker: whoever is a citizen there, is a friend of mine ||3||2|| (sggs 345).